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Iron Ions (Fe XV) in the Sun's Atmosphere

Iron exists in small amounts in the solar atmosphere. Since atoms in the Sun's atmosphere are extremely hot, they move around very, very quickly. The atoms often collide, and such collisions can knock electrons loose from an atom. Atoms with missing (or extra!) electrons are called ions. An iron (chemical element symbol Fe) atom that is missing one electron is called Fe II. Normal, neutral iron with a full compliment of 26 electrons is called Fe I.

On Earth, iron is a silvery-white metal that is found throughout the Earth's crust. It is also a critical component of the human body found in blood cells and necessary for the proper functioning of cells and muscles.

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